Hudson County Community College's building spree continues with North Campus in Union City

Byron Smith/ Journal photo From left, Heights Councilman Bill Gaughan, Hudson County Executive Tom Degise, President of Hudson County Community College Board of Trustees Bill Netchert, former 5th District Freeholder Maurice Fitzgibbon, and Hudson County Community College President Dr. Glen Gabert participate in cutting the ribbon for the Hudson County Community College Culinary Arts Plaza Park in Jersey City, Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Hudson County Community College (HCCC) President Dr. Glen Gabert announced the start of the second phase of the institution's $200 million capital expansion program.

Construction of HCCC's North Hudson Center -- which will be located at 48th Street and Kennedy Boulevard in Union City -- will begin this spring.

Targeted for completion in 2010 with classes starting in 2011, the 92,350 square-foot, seven-story structure will include classrooms, a Learning Resource Center, offices and common areas, and an outdoor plaza.

The College has contracted with the Nacirema Group of Bayonne to perform the rock excavation portion of the project.

The new facility was designed by RSC Architects of Cliffside Park. The firm also designed HCCC's Culinary Arts Institute/Conference Center in Jersey City -- a $75 million state-of-the-art facility that houses the College's nationally recognized Culinary Arts program.

The HCCC Culinary Arts program is one of only two programs in the New York-New Jersey area that is fully accredited by the American Culinary Federation Accrediting Commission.

"Thanks to our Culinary Arts Institute's growing reputation, expanded course offerings in other areas, and an aggressive community outreach program, we have seen substantial growth in the past few years," said Dr. Gabert.

"The North Hudson Center will accommodate that growth and provide unparalleled educational opportunities to our ethnically and culturally diverse Hudson County community."

HCCC's Division of Community Education works in tandem with the Culinary Arts Institute, and in partnership with a number of local community-based groups, to provide training, job-readiness/life skills instruction and certification programs that help area residents achieve self-sufficiency and the support and opportunity to live safe, fulfilling and productive lives.

"The HCCC Board of Trustees, administration, faculty and staff work tirelessly to ensure that all of the people of Hudson County have access to an affordable education that provides the knowledge and skills they will need in today's world," said Dr. Gabert.